Burning Down the Mountain
Summary: To ease his citizen's concern chief Isshin sends his sons to deal with the mountain bandits that have plagued the forest around Katakura Town. Little does he know how complicated the request will become. Bya/Ichig, Shu/Ren, Grim/Ulquiorra/Hichigo
Ch.1- Katakura
Isshin sighed as he sat at the councilmen's table listen to more merchants complain about the increased activity of some bandits located in the forests surrounding Katakura. Over the last few months the bandits activities had indeed increased at a startling pace. This indicated the group was probably growing bolder and at an expedited rate. A year before it was reported that only a few men had attacked and robbed a caravan for supplies and now the numbers of attacks was increasing. This was troubling indeed.
Another merchant stood and opened his mouth to begin complaining about his caravan being ransacked and the high price for apparently ineffective protection this city offered when Isshin stood suddenly.
"Is anyone here to discuss something other than their caravan being robbed and their merchandise being stolen?" he asked and sighed again when no one answered. "As you are all here with the same complaint, I will send a group of soldiers to deal with the bandits. If you would like to log your damaged or stolen merchandise please see the clerk." He then left the councilmen's office amongst uproars.
"What group of men are you going to send out into the forest?" his young aid Rangiku asked as they walked down a hallway.
"My dutiful sons, of course." Isshin replied. This was a good chance for Ichigo to get his feet wet and prove that he could handle real world situations and not just those presented in scholarly lectures.
Rangiku nodded. "If you think that is wise." She said knowing his wife was not going to agree with this decision one bit.
Meanwhile in the castle main's garden the clang of metal swords echoed throughout the flowered paths. The scuffling of feet on gravel was heard followed by a loud groan and a splash. The sound of laughter could be heard after that.
"Your footwork is improving but you must learn to read your opponent's eyes or he will deceive you and take off your head." An authoritative voice advised as a hand reached out to help the fallen student out of the pond. "We shall try again."
"Shut up Shiro." A wet and pissed off Ichigo shouted as he wiped water from his eyes and searched for his sword in the murky water.
Sitting over in the shade of some trees another teenager continued to laugh. "I think it's a lost cause Shuuhei. Just take his head off so I can be the next chieftain." He joked holding his side. His laughter stopped when a sword imbedded itself in the tree next to him. "THAT IS NOT FUNNY!" he shouted.
Now Ichigo laughed for a moment before taking Shuuhei's hand and getting help out of the pond. "Your movements said you were going to go left."
Shuuhei smiled. "It may have but my eyes clearly said I was going to go right and trip you." He informed him. "You're improving and I'm sure against a basic opponent you would be alright." He offered as encouragement. "Go retrieve your sword and we will try again." He moved to go back to their starting position.
Shuuhei smiled as he watched Shiro and Ichigo argue across the field as Ichigo retrieved the sword from the tree. It was just like yesterday they were learning how to walk and now here they were two nearly grown men at sixteen. He sighed then turned at the sound of an approaching horse.
Shiro and Ichigo continued to bicker as they were approached by Shuuhei and the messenger.
The two stopped bickering after Shuuhei cleared his throat. "Your father has summoned us to the main hall. We should make haste." He advised placing his scabbard back at his side and heading towards the castle.
Ichigo and Shiro looked at one another Ichigo was intending to make a point and instead Shiro blew a raspberry at him and took off after Shuuhei. "Aniki carry me." He shouted jumping onto Shuuhei's back nearly knocking the older male over.
Ichigo face palmed and hurried after them.
Ichigo looked up at Shiro as they walked up the castle steps. "Get off Shuuhei's back and walk." He ordered his younger brother.
Shiro turned to look down on Ichigo. "What's the matter? Don't like having to look up to me?" he asked smugly.
Ichigo glared up at him. "Get off Shuuhei's back." He shouted moving to pull the other off Shuuhei's back.
Shuuhei rolled his eyes as the twins began to bicker. Those two were like day and night. They fought like two dogs in a pit. He worried about the state of the township if Isshin were to pass away suddenly. He finally shrugged his shoulders signaling it was time for Shiro to get off his back.
Shiro looked at him over his shoulder. "Do I have to get off?" he asked with a pout.
Shuuhei smiled. "Yes, you're not a child anymore you don't need to be carried into the main hall. If you want to have someone do that then find yourself a nice duke or general." He offered as Shiro dismounted with a pout. He often teased his brother about his sexuality when in reality they weren't all that different.
"Why would Shiro need to find a nice duke? Don't encourage his strange behaviors any more than necessary." One of the members of Isshin's council members scolded them as they approached the main halls entrance. "Your father is already over indulgent when it comes to his hair and manner of dress." He added pointing out Shiro's shoulder length white hair and flashy dress in form fitting pants with jewelry and a light tank top which was a stark comparison to Ichigo and Shuuhei's short haircuts and tan pants and red shirts.
Shiro blew a raspberry at said council member then looked at his brothers. "When father names me the next leader he's the first one to go." He said glaring as Shuuhei booted Shiro off his shoulders.
Shuuhei pat Shiro's shoulder. "Don't worry so much about something that won't happen anytime soon. With your luck Councilmen Hanaka will die off long before releaving him of his duties is necessary." He smiled at Shiro who laughed at the suggestion.
Shiro managed to stifle his laughter as they entered the main hall to find Isshin talking with Masaki and her promptly hitting him in the face will a pillow.
"No Isshin it's too dangerous." She retorted hitting him several times with the pillow bringing the large man to his knees. "Of," smack, "all", smack "hair brained," smack, "Ideas." She snapped hitting him on the head.
Shuuhei cleared his throat while Shiro was on the floor laughing and Ichigo was sighing and shaking his head in the palm of his hand.
"Would you like us to come back at a different time?" Shuuhei asked as he regarded the rulers of his home town.
Masaki turned and was all smiles. "Oh boys," She hit Isshin one last time in the back of the head then walked down from the thrones to see them. "Good afternoon, how are Ichigo's lessons progressing?" She asked with a kind smile as she regarded her sons.
Ichigo sighed as his clothes were still wet from the pond and he was currently dripping on the floor.
"You slipped into the pond again?" She asked with an amused look.
"No," Shiro interrupted. "Shuuhei faked going left and then tripped Ichigo so he'd fall into the pond. It was a kill point for sure." He bragged.
Unlike his older twin Shiro showed a lot of promise as a warrior despite his slender and delicate build. He excelled at archery and was a decent swordsman for his age. He could fight circles around his older brother and often trained with some of the other warriors of his father's to learn and better his skills. He was also being shown how to throw knives and hatchets with astounding accuracy. The problem Shiro has was once he started fighting he did not know how to disengage until his opponent was dead.
Masaki smiled and pat Ichigo's shoulder. "You'll get there." She encouraged then turned back to Isshin who had gotten up.
Isshin was rubbing his head from where he had been severely pillow mauled and turned to look at his wife. "Despite your objections I feel this is a fitting mission for them." He replied smiling at his sons.
"What kind of mission?" Shuuhei asked looking away from Masaki to Isshin. He had gone on missions for Isshin before and they usually ended in some bloody battle that left him stumbling home beaten up but victorious and in need of a stiff drink and a woman's company for a while.
"I'm sure you've heard the rumors about some thieves and bandits robbing caravans before they can reach the city." Isshin inquired.
Shuuhei nodded. "Yes, they've killed several guards that have been hired to protect the caravans." He paused. "I can see why you've selected me for this mission as I helped in the battle against the mountain bandits that passed through some time ago but Ichigo and Shiro have no business in the forest looking for bandits." He objected looking at the younger men in the room.
"I could not agree more." Masaki added then walked over to Shuuhei and smiled kindly. "And I object to him sending you as well. You were one of only a handful of survivors after the battle with those mountain bandits and they scarred up your handsome face." She said resting a hand on Shuuhei's scarred face.
Shuuhei removed her hand. "I owe it to the two of you to do all I can to help the city." He said with a kind smile. "I will get a few good men and deal with the bandit issue we're having in the forest." He promised then looked at the younger two. "But these two stay here." He advised.
Masaki tried to convince him to stay but Shuuhei insisted.
The next morning Shuuhei departed for the forest with a small group of warriors promising to return as he always did. Only this time he did not. His party returned with the news that two of their men had been killed and Shuuhei had traded his life for the safe release of the rest of the soldiers.
Isshin had been furious and the noble family was plagued with grief.
So here's yet another story that doesn't want to leave me alone. It's just a blurb for now. Tiger's Wish is being revisited as is Science and Faith. There will be new chapters for both of those in the coming weeks.
Lokivsanubis
12/31/2013